Agoura student dies in crash
Agoura High School senior Dan Behar died of an apparent suicide after his car ran off Piuma Road in Malibu on Monday, Malibu Lost/Hills Sergeant Dan Nagelmann confirmed. The crash, which occurred at about 12:30 p.m., also started a small fire, which was put out shortly after. A local resident told The Malibu Times that the car had flipped over as well. The victim died at the scene.
Nagelmann said Behar sent a text message to numerous students saying goodbye and telling them where his body could be found, but not disclosing his reason. One student reported the text message to the sheriff’s station and numerous others reported it to Agoura High School officials.
Counselors from Agoura and Calabasas High Schools were reportedly on site in Agoura helping students deal with the incident Tuesday.
The case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Homicide Bureau and the Department of Coroner.
Daylight saving time ends Sunday
Daylight saving time ends early Sunday. Turn clocks back one hour at 2 a.m. Nov. 6.
Point Dume Elementary burglarized
Six computers were stolen from Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School early Sunday morning, Malibu/Lost Hills Sergeant Derrick Alfred confirmed. Each of the computers is worth just over $1,000, making the total amount of stolen property worth around $7,000.
A private alarm company responded to an alarm activation call from the school at around 4 a.m. The company’s representatives arrived to find a shattered window and stolen computers, at which point they contacted local deputies.
At this point, officials do not have any leads.
To report information about this case, contact Detective Taylor at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Department, 818.878.1808.
Body washes ashore on Zuma Beach
A body was found on Zuma Beach near lifeguard tower number five Monday afternoon, Sergeant John Skikas of the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station confirmed. The victim, an unidentified white male in his 50s, washed ashore wearing swim trunks.
Los Angeles County Lifeguard and Fire Department representatives responded to the call at 2:06 p.m. The officers administered first aid, but were unable to revive the victim.
A long abrasion along the top of the victim’s head has led officials to believe the man had suffered a head injury. Skikas said he had been told the man’s death was a “recreational accident.”
“[He] appears to have died of natural causes,” Skikas said. “We don’t have any evidence of foul play.”
Los Angeles County Homicide Detectives are investigating the incident.
Body found by Rindge Dam
A 21-year-old man found at the bottom of Rindge Dam in Malibu Oct. 25 apparently committed suicide, according to Lt. Fred Corral of the coroner’s investigation division at the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.
Joshua A. Feinberg of Agoura Hills left a note in his vehicle indicating “he was going to jump from the cliff to commit suicide,” Corral said. Feinberg also sent a text message to a friend expressing his intent to commit suicide. The time of death was listed as 6:43 p.m. on Oct. 25.
SMMUSD officials cleared in misconduct case
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department completed its investigation of potential criminal misconduct of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District employees stemming from a possible hate crime incident in May, clearing them of any charges, according to a press release from the Santa Monica Police Department. It had been suggested that Santa Monica High School employees intimidated witnesses or victims and destroyed evidence.
The incident, which occurred May 4, involved a black student being harassed by two white students at Santa Monica High School, all on the wrestling team.
“After a thorough inquiry, including interviews, review of the crime report, written declarations, and photographic images, it was determined there was no probable cause to believe that any staff member or employee of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District participated in any activity, or acted in such a manner, that supports an allegation of criminal misconduct,” the release states.
CCC expected to approve pier plan
California Coastal Commission is expected to approve a project to refurbish the Malibu Pier at its meeting Nov. 3.
The commission’s staff has recommended approval of the project, which would conduct pier repair and maintenance over the next 10 years. The project would replace missing or damaged support piles, structural framing members, decking and include minor repairs to other structures. The application for the project is backed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation
The meeting takes place Thursday, at the Oceanside City Council Chambers, 300 N. Coast Hwy, in Oceanside, at 8 a.m.
Veterans Day event Nov. 11
The Veterans Day National Committee is hosting the 12th annual Veterans Day Celebration Nov. 11 at Legacy Park. The ceremony will feature a parade of colors by the Pepperdine University ROTC students, a flyover by the U.S. Navy and remarks from veterans who have served or are currently serving in the military.
“The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces,” a press release from the Malibu Chamber of Commerce states.
Event organizers are accepting submissions for the official Veterans Day image. Drawings or pictures can be submitted, and an American flag must be somewhere in the image.
The Veterans Day National Committee is made up of the Malibu Chamber of Commerce, the City of Malibu, Pepperdine University and The Malibu Times.
For more information call 310.456.9025.
Boy scout troop open house Nov. 8
Boy Scout Troop 85 is hosting an open house Tuesday at the Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades. The troop is open to boys 11 and older, with a co-ed “Venture Crew” also open to girls 13 and older. Troop members are from all around the West Los Angeles area, including Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Topanga and Santa Monica.
The troop specializes in wilderness adventures such as rock climbing, hiking, backpacking, river rafting and camping. Trips range from Joshua Tree National Park to Mt. Whitney, including Yosemite National Park and other natural locales. Family members are also welcome on the outdoor trips.
“Some of the best hours I ever spent with my son were hiking in the mountains with Troop 85,” scoutmaster David Turner said.
The open house event will feature an interior ropes course, chocolate tacos and highlights from recent trips. It takes place at Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades, 801 Via De La Paz, at 7:30 p.m.
For more information call David Turner at 310.915.5523 or visit www.troop85.net.
Brush fire occurs near Malibu
More than 60 firefighters battled a brush fire Oct. 27 north of Santa Monica, according to the Los Angeles Times. It was out later the same afternoon and the cause remains under investigation.
Los Angeles fire officials responded to a fire spanning approximately one acre on the 15100 block of West Pacific Coast Highway. Three helicopters and 61 firefighters fought the blaze. No homes were evacuated and no injuries were reported. The cause is still being investigated. Malibu was under a Red Flag Warning last Thursday until 3 p.m. from the National Weather Service due to low levels of humidity.
SMMUSD seeking personnel commissioner
The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is seeking a new member of its personnel commission, according to a press release from the SMMUSD. The district is accepting applications for the personnel commission vacancy, which becomes available Dec. 1. The appointment will be for a three-year term.
“The personnel commission is the public body responsible for the administration of a ‘merit system’ for the selection, retention and promotion of classified (i.e., non-teaching) employees in a public school system,” the release states.
In order to be eligible for the commission, applicants must be a registered voter and a resident within the SMMUSD boundaries. Additionally, applicants must be familiar with the “merit system” and support the concept of employment, continuance in employment, in-service promotional opportunities and related matters.
Applicants cannot be members of the SMMUSD Board of Education, the County Board of Education or an employee of the district.
Applications are available at the SMMUSD office of the superintendent, 1651 16th St. in Santa Monica or at www.smmusd.org. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 15.
More information can be obtained by calling the SMMUSD at 310.450.8338, ext. 70-241 or 70-279.
State corrections conference Nov. 17
Capitol Weekly and the University of California are hosting a conference on the state’s correctional system, “California’s Prisons: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” Nov. 17 in Sacramento, according to a press release.
The conference will feature a comprehensive discussion of issues surrounding the prison system. It will be a full-day program featuring four panel discussions and a keynote speaker.
Conference participants include Jim Gomez, former state prisons director and current head of the California Association of Health Facilities; Craig Brown, former director of the state Finance Department and former head of the California Youth Authority, and Jeanne Woodford, former warden of San Quentin Prison and former state prisons director, among others.
The conference takes place at the Crest Theatre, at the intersection of 10th Street and K Street, in Sacramento. Registration opens at 8 a.m. and the panels begin at 9 a.m.
More information can be obtained by visiting www.capitolweekly.net.